German literature: modern literature. Concepts and texts [ LGERM2712 ]

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Introduction to German literature and good knowledge of German (advanced level B2+ as defined in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).

In a first stage, the meaning of modern coming from neighboring disciplines (sociology, philosophy and art history) will be examined to come up with a notion of "modernity" which is not simply inspired by historiography. This discussion makes the link to the courses on the history of literature and thought included in the BAC program.

After this brief introduction the main part of the course covers the practice of literary interpretation. On the basis of selected texts of principal authors of the modernist period in German literature (Thomas Mann, Rilke, Kafka, Benn, Brecht, Döblin, Trakl, for example) we shall discover innovations in the choice of themes and esthetic expression related to this time. In particular, we shall examine how in the different texts and text types the authors conceive, imagine, and tell the relationship between the outer- and inner- worlds of the individual.

Participants who complete this course successfully will be able to

- become familiar with the era of modernism with respect to both the concept of modernity in literary research (Modernethorie) and major authors and works of this period
- distinguish modernist German literature of the beginning of the 20th century from more traditional forms of poetic expression (realism, naturalism) and to describe in a critical view the themes and problems treated by the literature of the first decades of the 20th century.

Continuous evaluation of the work accomplished during the course (oral contributions, discussions).

Written final exam (individual) on the basis of a personalized reading assignment.

Literary analyses carried out by small groups in collaboration with the professor.

The reading list evolves over time. It will be announced at the beginning of each course cycle.

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